Dec 25 2011

Sunday Somethings, Christmas Edition

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 7:28 pm

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Seeing Lance with his family on Christmas Day. It’s like seeing him in his natural habitat. We’re having a good time in Ohio.

Something i am struggling with: I want to play Dominion more than anyone else does.

Something tasty: Lance’s sister’s husband Will made these awesome caramel chocolate chip brownies that are impossible to describe except they are GOOD and you can eat only one as they are super rich. He’s going to have to give me the recipe.

Something i learned: Christmas can be good even if the present phase doesn’t last 5 hours. (One might even say, especially if…)

Something from the bridge table: Lance and I actually make an appearance, however minor, in the newest version of the Encyclopedia of Bridge, which was one of our Christmas gifts.

Something i am reading: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey.

Something happening around the house: The Shull household finished the present exchange about an hour ago. We are now engaged in various activities such as Sudoku, cooking, walking dogs, throwing the football outside, and eating appetizers.

Something i am thinking: I think that a large majority of taxpayers would like the postal service to continue delivering mail on a daily basis, including Saturdays. So we have this one thing that nearly everyone can agree on, and what is happening? We’re letting it die a slow death. Of course.

Something i am looking forward to: A few more days here before a long drive back to Ohio.

Something i am hoping: For no more close encounters with hitting deer. We almost hit one on the way here.

Something random: I like dangly earrings.

Something planned: More Zelda, Dominion, bridge, reading, and good quality family time.

Something of a Christmas message: We have colleagues who work in China who sent holiday greetings to all of the US staff. They don’t celebrate Christmas, but they were being thoughtful and expressing good wishes to us. The note i got was so extremely perfect – “Have a wonder holiday.” This is probably a simple misapplication of English, but i love the implication. We use the word ‘wonderful’ fairly frequently in normal speech, but it has lost its original meaning, which it literally “full of wonder.”  Wonder holiday makes much sense in that context. I want to wish everyone a wonder-full holiday!


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Dec 18 2011

Sunday Somethings, 18Dec11

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 11:59 pm

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Disengaging. Not checking email. Not being in touch. Even for a 3-day weekend it is liberating and i’m able to relax much more easily if i’m not checking in every few hours. A luxury when it happens.

Something i am struggling with: Keeping up with blogging.

Something tasty: Grandma Moody’s Hungarian Coffee Cake. Mom made it for us this weekend.

Some things i am doing towards my goals: I had a paper accepted at SAS Global Forum and i have to have it mostly finished by Jan 2. Yikes.

Something i am reading: Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey. A reread of an old favorite.

Something i am watching: We re-watched Lars and the Real Girl this past weekend with my parents. Mom was the only one who made it to the end with me, and i was glad she liked it. I really liked that movie.

Something happening around the house: In all our spare time, we are searching for the sacred flames in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Something i am thinking: How much of a free pass do old people get. Yes they are old and set in their ways, but aren’t they still held to the same standard of treating people the way they would want to be treated?

Something i am looking forward to: Our trip to Ohio this weekend! We are looking forward to spending Christmas with Lance’s family.

Something i am hoping: For safe travels and no dog vomit during our upcoming drives.

Something random: I ran out of fuel on the way home from Asheville. It’s no big deal these days – roadside assistance shows up 30 minutes later and you’re on your way. But i still feel like i failed at life for the day.

Something planned: Two bridge dates, working a little extra to get my presentation worked out, and Zelda anytime there is any free time.

Something captured: This photo is officially entitled “The Coldest Lance Has Ever Been.” Note that we have on hats and gloves and appropriately heavy jackets. However, our legs are only protected by simple pants/jeans. At this moment in time, we are near the top of Flat Top Mountain just outside Anchorage. It is snowing and the wind is blowing fiercely. The temperature is definitely below zero. We stepped out of the truck and headed to an overlook (that’s ocean you can see in the background), and near froze in the three minutes we were outside, despite the heavy coats.

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Dec 11 2011

Today Is Sunday

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 8:59 pm

Today is Sunday, and the Somethings are due and overdue, but the typical format just doesn’t cover all the things i want to highlight. So here are some thoughts.

  • Our trip to Alaska was totally rad! It was awesome to see Nathan and Heather in their natural habitat.
  • Alaska is far. Twelve hours in the air. When i told people we were going to Alaska, i got quite a few people asking us if we would be driving from Seattle to Anchorage. It’s easy to forget just how far away it is. It is about the same distance from Seattle to Anchorage as it is from Raleigh to Seattle.
  • Alaskans know a lot more about how to survive in the snow than we do. They all have engine block heaters installed in their cars so they can plug their cars in. All the parking lots have these chargers so they can plug their cars in.
  • We took a fair number of pictures, but i’m still sorting them out and trying to get them uploaded. The one below is me standing in front of a frozen lake. We walked on it. How neat is that?
  • Our 4 days in Seattle were fun as well. We played a 3-day event for players with 0-5000 masterpoints and finished 14th of 112. Not too bad. It was a bit disappointing because we were leading, by some, after the first five sessions, but just had nothing good happen to us in the last session. There wasn’t that much we could have done, and we just watched our win slip away.
  • Lance and i can host a damn good bridge party. We had three tables here the other night, which was a pretty full house. Nugent hid upstairs all night, and the adults all had a good time playing bridge and Taboo.
  • We learned a new game thanks to Nathan & Heather- Dominion. A very good game, and i predict more of it in our future.
  • Nugent seemed a bit sullen when we got back. Perhaps he didn’t like being left behind. We’re taking him with us when we go to Ohio in a few weeks.
  • I had 800+ emails waiting for me when i got back after 11 days of not checking at all. I was pretty stressed out all week, but i finally feel caught up.
  • I’ve seen Breaking Dawn twice now! The first time with Heather, as we have seen all the movies together so far. And the second time this weekend with another friend. (I learned that if you stay through to the end of the credits, there is a teaser for the next movie! I missed that the first time!) It was so fun.
  • Glad to be home. December us a busy month (and it’s already nearly half over).

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Nov 21 2011

Sunday Somethings, 20Nov11

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 12:31 pm

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Planning and packing and checking things off lists.

Something i am struggling with: Lots to get done at work before i go!

Something tasty: Our dinner at Mantra was very good. I love Indian food.

Something i am reading: Actually did not read much of anything this week, but Outlander is still next on the list, and i should get plenty of reading time on the planes.

Something i am watching: Lance got the new Zelda game, and i’ve been watching him traipse through that game. It’s fun – almost like a movie.

Something i learned: Podrey is pretty good about navigating through video games. I have a good sense of direction, even in video game land.

Something happening around the house: Lots of leaf-blowing. The leaves are falling so fast and thick you can barely tell we did anything. I can only hope that a thinner layer of leaves will be less likely to kill the grass than a triple layer will. It will be another two weeks before we get another chance.

Something i am thinking: I love seeing a friend that i haven’t hung out with in awhile for a totally mundane reason (returning an outfit) and then having it turn into this great unplanned night out.

Something i am looking forward to: Our trip to Alaska! Seeing Nathan & Heather! Snowhoe hiking! And of course, Thanksgiving dinner – the best food of the year!

Something i am hoping: That the snowshoeing doesn’t kill us and that we don’t freeze to death while we’re out there.

Something random: It has “warmed up” to a high of about 15 degrees in Anchorage. We are told this is much much better than the -2 degrees of the past week.

Something planned: An 11.5 hour plane ride.


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Nov 19 2011

Mantra

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 11:25 am

A few weeks ago, i bought a $25 Groupon worth $50 at Mantra, a new restaurant in downtown Raleigh. At least, i think it’s new. I jumped on it, thinking it would be a perfect opportunity to dine with our friends K & P who are our Indian restaurant friends. They have helped us get acclimated to the menus and learn what was good.

The Groupon expired at the end of November, so we needed to make a date, and everything kept falling through. Last night, after our date fell through again, Lance and i decided we had enough vocabulary to order by ourselves and that we would just go and pig out by ourselves.

When we arrived at 7:30 we had an slightly bizarre exchange with the hostess. It started normally. She greeted us with, “Good evening, how are you?” And i said “We’re fine, how are you?” And she just looked at me expectantly. There was an awkward silence. I quickly analyzed the exchange in my head and concluded it was just barely possible i had accidentally spoken in another language, so i repeated myself in English, “We’re fine, how are you.” She looks at me like i have two heads and then remembers her line, “Do you have a reservation?” I glance sideways at all the empty tables as i reply in the negative. She then says, “OK, i just have to go check something. I’ll be right back.”

The place was not empty; maybe 60% full. We had arrived at 7:30, which on Friday night at Olive Garden means a 1-hour wait.

She returns with the news that “we just gave away our last walk-in table, but you could sit either at the bar our outside where there’s a heater.” We had seen the outside section on the way in, draped with plastic lining. We opted for the outside option. I kept my coat on.

The food was amazing. We ordered Tandoori Paneer Tikka as our appetizer, which was spicy and good. Kulcha, which is Naan stuffed with cheese and potatoes – very good. The entrees we shared were to die for: Murgh Tikka Masala and Daal Mantra. We always love whatever we order at Indian restaurants. Lance vows to become an Indian chef.

The atmosphere was nice – the music seemed authentic. It was a bit chilly outside, and my feet  especially were pretty cold by the time we left. But the outside seating was acceptable.

Lance commented that this definitely felt like a new restaurant. They did not have all their logistics worked out. For example, when we were being led to our seats, we almost ran into 3 different servers. It makes me think that seasoned restaurants must have a path down which they lead patrons, and the servers avoid the main path. Also, we had issues getting plates for our appetizers, and a table next to us couldn’t get an extra roll of silverware. They just seemed disorganized. Thirdly, the service was pretty slow. We waited noticeably longer for each course, and 10+ minutes just to get the check after we’d requested it.

Finally, i was turned off by the bill. They added 18% gratuity automatically, but did not really point it out very well. I HATE that. They present you with a bill where the server has already been compensated, but it still has the same 3 lines for you to fill in for Tip, Total and Signature. Some restaurants do this right, and label the tip line as “Add’l Tip” to at least clue you in. How many people double-tip in this situation? I would argue a LOT. I generally always tip 20% but i assume that you are giving up your 2% upside when you want to guarantee no one tips only 10%. If i had truly exceptional service, i suppose i might add additional tip, but i haven’t experienced that combination quite yet. That left a sour taste in my mouth – it just reeks to me of a general distrust of your customer. Maybe it’s warranted in a lot of situations, but i don’t like it.

Overall, i would say the food was tremendously good, but the service was below average. I liked it, but i will wait to return until they’ve had time to get things running a bit more smoothly.

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Nov 14 2011

Sunday Somethings, 13Nov11

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 12:22 am

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Knowing exactly how the cards lay even though we’ve only played a few tricks of a bridge hand, due to bidding and play.

Something i am struggling with: New-fallen leaves have already obliterated all evidence that i cleared them away just 6 days ago.

Something tasty: A friend’s chocolate tort that she made us for dessert after having us to her house for dinner and bridge. Yum.

Something i learned: Already knew this, but i have rediscovered that Christmas shopping is so easy by mail.

Something i am reading: I just finished rereading The Host by Stephanie Meyer, just for fun. Next is Outlander by Diana Gaboldon.

Something i am watching: We just finished getting caught up with all the episodes Netflix has available for Modern Family. Love that show.

Something happening around the house: Laying low and laundry.

Something i am thinking: Whether or not we should drive 5 hours to Spartanburg this weekend to try to qualify for the North American Pairs. It’s such a long drive. It would probably be fun. We’d have to finish in the top 3 to make it worthwhile. If we do, we get money to go to the Memphis bridge nationals in the spring. If we don’t, it’s just a 10-hour drive.

Something i am looking forward to: My last week of the bowling league this year. It starts up again after the holidays.

Something i am hoping: That i get to use my Groupon to Mantra before the expiration date (end of the month) – have to work it out in the next 10 days.

Something random: A math problem Lance got from his Mom. Each character is a digit. What do the characters represent?
NOW
+NOW
+   NO
——–
CHOW

Something planned: One more week of relative quiet – before the crazy holiday season begins! Packing! Travel! Alaska! Seattle! Asheville! Ohio! Lots of excitement in the last six weeks of the year.


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Nov 06 2011

Sunday Somethings, 06Nov11

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 7:33 pm

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Naps.

Something tasty: Dinner at the Bloomsbury Bistro at Five Points. It’s the usual birthday dinner celebration location that a small group of friends frequents.

Something i learned: Nathan has been posting a summary of his visit to Singapore to visit his friends. A surprising fact: you have to purchase the right to buy a car. How much does this luxury cost? $35,000 Singapore dollars. Conversion rate? $1 uS = $.8 Singapore. Translation: $43,750 spent before you even get to go shopping for the car. Does this mean the cars are very very nice, ie only the rich have cars? Or does this mean that there are a lot of really inexpensive cars, since everyone spends their whole budget up front?

Something i am reading: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, by Marshall Goldsmith & Mark Reiter.

Something i am watching: Today began the live coverage of the World Series of Poker final table. The November Nine. It’s so much more interesting than the 2-hour ESPN final that they’ve shown in previous years, since they show ALL the hands instead of just the interesting/dramatic ones.

Something happening around the house: I meant to get outside and blow leaves today. It was such a nice day to be working outside, too. But i didn’t.

Something i am thinking: I’m glad my computer told me about the falling backwards, b/c otherwise i wouldn’t have known.

Something i am looking forward to: It’s still a few weeks away, but i’m really looking forward to our trip to Alaska!

Something i am hoping: To win the lottery. I’ve never bought a ticket, but i think it might be fun to start buying a couple tickets a week just for the fun of it.

Something random: Ants ants ants, little tiny ants! In the bathroom – why? What are they after? And where do they come from?

Something planned: Bridge with Lance Tuesday.


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Oct 30 2011

Sunday Somethings, 30Oct11

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 3:43 pm

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Fall weather.

Something i am struggling with: Relationships are hard.

Something tasty: Frozen lasagna from Trader Joe’s.

Something from the bridge table: At the Morehead tournament, i doubled a 6NT contract with my two aces. That ended the auction, and we just put the cards back into the board, no one showed any of the hands, and we just scored it up as down 1. And here is another fun hand from the tournament.

Something i am reading: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter.

Something happening around the house: New grass is poking up through the straw in our back yard.

Something i am thinking: Leaves are falling in the yard. I love fall, but raking/blowing leaves is not a chore i love.

Something i am looking forward to: Malcolm’s birthday dinner. We have a couple of really fun gifts for him.

Something i’m watching: Recently discovered Modern Family. Loving it!

Something random: We have a woodpecker. Today i scared him away by banging on the wall while he was pecking. Maybe it will work.

Something planned: A return to playing in a home poker game, the first since Lance’s terrible experience with armed robbers at the end of July.

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Oct 26 2011

Shaggin’

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 11:39 pm

Last weekend, Lance and i joined some friends in Morehead City, NC for a sectional bridge tournament. I was telling one of my friends at work about it; how we were going to the beach, going to play bridge all weekend, and there was an opportunity to go shag dancing as well. My friend laughed and said, “What are you, 60 years old and retired?” Well, i’m not, but everyone else i was hanging out with is 60+. I started referring to it as my retired weekend. And i liked it!

I took a shag lesson several years ago and learned the basic steps. This was my first opportunity to go to a real shag club, though. The place was called Memories. Our group of six arrived just after 9 pm on a Saturday night, and the place was packed. I was the youngest person there by about 30 years. Everyone was having a blast, it seemed. I was SO excited to be there, and i loved watching the people dance. It was a bit intimidating – the dance floor was about 30×40 and was surrounded by a waist-high wall, and everyone was gathered around watching. So getting out there was really like being in the center of attention.

We watched for awhile. I was so entranced by all these couples dancing. I thought it was so sweet that all these older couples were out dancing together! And then i began talking to some of them; everyone was very friendly. I asked the first couple “How long have you been married?” “Oh – we’re not married!” After that i revised my question. “Are you married?” “Oh, no.” Not one person i talked to was there with a spouse. A few were actually couples who were in the early months of a relationship, but many were singles. That makes sense upon reflection, but it sure put a damper on my romantic idea of long-married couples out shagging together.

Our escort for the evening danced with each of the ladies in turn. It was SO FUN. I’m sure i was doing it wrong, but i didn’t care. And that’s the point of dancing, to have fun.

I enjoyed my retired weekend. The beach was beautiful, the bridge was interesting and the shagging was wonderful.

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Oct 09 2011

Sunday Somethings, 09Oct11

Category: Uncategorized — podrey @ 8:27 pm

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Playing bridge with Lance. He is such a good partner.

Something i am struggling with: Lance is having a rough year; how do i cheer him up when the cards never seem to fall his way?

Something tasty: Does anyone else get cravings for Diet Coke? I do. You can keep your classic Coca-Cola.

Something i learned: Upper management doesn’t always know what they’re talking about.

Something from the bridge table: We played in the Raleigh bridge tournament this weekend. Always fun. We have a lot of good players who come to our tournaments, and it is really a pleasure to play against expert players.

Something i am reading: The Tea Rose, by Jennifer Donnelly

Something happening around the house: We cleaned out the garage (again). Maybe now we’ll actually start using it more. Lance is in there now with one of his strat-o-matic baseball buddies.

Something i am thinking: We’re thinking of going to another tournament in Morehead City in a couple of weekends. Might make a 3-day weekend out of it.

Something i am looking forward to: Signing off on the latest version of our software this week. Goodbye and good riddance!

Something i am hoping: That there are no major catastrophes or show-stoppers at work in the next 2 days.

Something random: The 40-Year Old Virgin is a so hilarious.

Something planned: Returning some overdue books to the library.


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